Is The Cinema Aging?

Although you wouldn't notice from the throngs lined-up to see 'The Force Awakens' there appears to be a glint of aging at the cinema.  Could movies be entering an age dominated by elder folk? Could we be on the cusp of witnessing the age of  'geezer cinema'?

Sam Elliott (71) starred in 'Dreams' and 'Grandma'

A view of the films and stars that are up for the big awards this year (including the Oscars) may hint at this aging process. It's no surprise to anyone who follows entertainment trends that younger moviegoers are trending down, while - low and behold - older folks, especially those 60 and above, are flocking to the cinema.  What gives? Hollywood is all about youth, beauty, action, and sex - or at least that's what we thought.  It now appears that old fogies are in vogue.

Look at the roster of films that are the front-runners in the awards' races. 'Youth' with Michael Caine (82) and co-stars Harvey Keitel and Jane Fonda. '45 Years' - Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay, 'Creed'- Sylvester Stallone, 'Grandma' - Lily Tomlin and Sam Elliott, 'Woman in Gold' - Helen Mirren (who also stars in 'Trumbo', 'The Lady In The Van' - Maggie Smith, 'Mr. Holmes' - Ian McKellen, 'I'll See You In My Dreams' - Blythe Danner and again, Sam Elliott.  The average age of this group is about 75.  2015 is skewed with coming-of-age films about 'aging boomers'.

Fonda (77) and Keitel (76) star in 'Youth'

Will this be a trend with legs?  Make no mistake, geezer films won't replace the high-impact, action/fantasy genre, but as independent, low-budget marquee fodder they make a lot of since and for the most part are solid grossers. Older audiences can't, or perhaps don't want to, relate to the issues of a 20-something.  They have a myriad of issues to deal with and these issues make for a slew of good story-lines and acting roles (hell, they just need to play themselves).  Lily Tomlin picked up a Golden Globe nomination last week for her role in 'Grandma' and stated that, "People get it. They are more aware of the inevitability of aging and its issues then ever before. And want to see this reflected in movies and on TV."

In a recent interview, Ian McKellen (76) implored people to use the term "seasoned stars" and to "please don't say veteran". He won a lot of kudos for his portrayal of an aging Sherlock Holmes that is grappling with dementia.  Many of these new 'old age' films deal with dating and sex, drugs, financial issues and the impact of changing personal and family relationships for folks who are active and normal but just older. Casting these films with actors who are well known only enhances their appeal and believability.

I think the 'geezer' film trend will continue. Hollywood as found a new audience (their old audience) and it's an audience that is large and looking for meaningful stories they can relate to.

Best
Jim